The midfielder failed a medical at Liverpool before signing for Newcastle, and he was always going to be a big gamble.
Alan Pardew: “Sylvain’s looking really good in training at the minute.
“You have to remember that he was out for a long time before we signed him, so he’s almost had 18 months without any kind of football at all. We have to be careful with him.
“To be pitching him in now would be a little bit unfair, but he certainly looks good.
“I think a holiday will do him good because he’s worked ever so hard to get back.
“Pre-season will be an extremely important period for him, and that’ll be his best route back in terms of finding his real ability.
"He certainly has ability and it’ll be great to have him available for next season.
“He’s got great technical ability, he really has. In terms of talent and technique, he’s a top player.”